Suppose your leader is lacking in one area, or more? How would you handle it? Would you pray for his removal and the installation of a better one? Would you go to other workers and convince them that they need to vote "wisely" at the next opportunity? Would you rise up, refusing to cooper ate with him? What, indeed, does one do with a leader who lacks some of the skills crucial to effective leadership?
Wherever there are people, there is leadership of some kind. And those at the head are often not perfect in their role. They may have the essential characteristics of good leadership, but still possess serious "flat spots" in certain important aspects of leadership. The truth is, of course, that in any organization, those who are led have always found weakness in those who lead them.
Does this, then, give us the right to rise up against such leaders?
I believe there are better ways to work with leaders, even those who aren't just lacking in certain areas but who may, in fact, be seen as simply bad leaders.
What are my expectations of the leader?
I have a personal philosophy when it comes to the way I treat my leaders; a philosophy based on my expectations of what a leader is.
I do have some irreducible assumptions about leadership and therefore expectations of any particular leader: I want to work under a leader who is competent, compassionate, and committed. If this leader is a religious one, I have the assumption that he or she is a servant of God, and fears Him. This means that God has sent this person to lead me.
If my leader is lacking in one or two of my expectations, I have resolved that I will find a way of helping out. I am also convinced that God has given my leader someone on his team who is gifted in whatever area my leader is lacking. If this person meets that expectation, my leader has met that expectation as well, and I find that acceptable.
I'm not perfect
I have had to accept the fact that I am not perfect. If I am not perfect, then I am to accept my leader's imperfections as well. God has not given me all the talents and gifts; why, then, would I expect my leader to possess them all? Instead I will find a way of appreciating whatever talents and gifts my leader does possess. Where I can, I will use my talents and gifts to complement his (or hers).
Jesus said, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets" (Matt. 7:12). These are words that have strengthened my resolution to respect my leader despite whatever he or she may be lacking in certain areas. How would I expect my leader and others to treat me if I were the leader?
Honesty with the leader
If my leader does not treat me with respect, I have found it my obligation to discuss the matter with him or her alone. This is the biblical approach. I have resolved that I will courageously, but with respect, approach my leader and express my concerns. It is dangerous to pretend that all is well when, inside, I am "burning."
When a new leader comes, people say a lot of things about him or her, some good, some bad. In such situations, I choose to work with the leader despite what has been said of him or her.
Though our leaders will always lack in certain areas, they are still our leaders. They deserve to be treated with love and respect.
Despite weaknesses
The Bible gives us examples of David, Elijah, Daniel, and many others whose characters are worthy of emulating. In spite of the weaknesses of their leaders (Saul, Ahab, Nebuchadnezzar), they worked with them. In some cases they helped their leaders find personal salvation.
We pastors are leaders in the highest sense of the word. We need to swallow our pride. We need to change our attitudes. In most cases our leaders are better than we think they are. It may be hard to accept certain leaders but it is not impossible. We have Jesus as both our Savior and Example!
